Article 4 - Complexity series
In this article of our series on Complexity Theory, we'll explore a concept often misunderstood and often feared: chaos.
Chaos theory studies systems that appear disordered but are actually governed by underlying patterns and sensitive dependencies.
The central insight?
A small variation in initial conditions can lead to radically different outcomes: a phenomenon called the butterfly effect.
A butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil could - at least theoretically - trigger a tornado weeks later in Texas.
Why?
Because complex systems, like weather or ecosystems, are highly sensitive to initial conditions.
random pictures by me
It's nonlinear causality.
What chaos really means
Chaos theory describes systems that: